Required Text(s): Corey, Jason. Audio Production and Critical Listening: Technical Ear Training, 2010, Focal Press, ISBN 978-0-240-81925-3.

Recommended Text(s): Huber, David Miles. Modern Recording Techniques, 7th ed., 2010, Focal Press, ISBN 978-0-240-81069-0.

Class Website:  www.glennbach.com/courses/au1121_syllabus.html.

Materials and Supplies: Reliable method for transporting and storing files (external hard drive); headphones; notebook; pen/pencil

Estimated Homework Hours: 4 Hours per Week

• access to computer lab
• Ai student account and password
• external hard drive (high capacity flash drive or iPod is okay)
• any and all software and/or hardware required to compose your project

ASSIGNMENTS OVERVIEW

LAB REPORTS
Brief reports on the process of engaging the Technical Ear Trainers and collection of representative sound files. Due Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10.

SONG REPORTS
Brief deconstructions of one track from one of two genres, with discussion of instrumentation, microphone placement, mix, mastering, style, genre, etc. Song Reports may only cover songs listed on the aproved Track List. Due Weeks 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.

QUIZZES
Weekly in-class quizzes covering details about each week's lecture, Song Report, and Lab Report. Each quiz must be completed during class hours. No make-ups are allowed.

MIDTERM EXAM
Assessment of student progress and learning through mid-quarter. Midterm Week 5.

FINAL EXAM
A cumulative assessment of student progress and learning through the end of the quarter. Final Week 11.

ATTENDANCE/DEADLINES/PARTICIPATION
It is essential that you come prepared for class (bring required materials and any due work), be actively engaged in learning (listening to instructions and observing demonstrations), and participate in critiques and discussions. You will also be expected to meet deadlines, with point penalties attached to any missed deadline.

25%     Lab Reports (250 points)
25%     Song Reports (250 points)
10%     Quizzes (100 points)
10%     Midterm exam (100 points)
10%     Final Exam (100 points)
20%     Attendance and Participation (200 points)

TOTAL
100% (1000 points)

 

GRADING SCALE
All assignments must have clear criteria and objectives to meet. All students shall be treated equitably. It will be that student’s right to know his/her grade at any reasonable point in the quarter. The criteria for determining a student’s grade shall be as follows (1000 points possible).

A      1000-920
A-     919-900
B+    899-881
B      880-820
B-     819-800
C+    799-781
C      780-720
C-     719-700
D+    699-681
D      680-620
F       619 or below

Grading Scale Note:

A= Excellent Professional Quality
This work represents what industry professionals are looking for in student portfolios, meets all the requirements set forth by the instructor for each project, and exhibits great potential for career success.

B= Good Professional Quality
This work is well crafted and meets a minimum of the standards industry professionals will expect of student portfolios, meets most requirements set forth by the instructor, but needs continued attention to some aspects of the work.

C= Average Student Work
This work meets most requirements in the production process as outlined by the instructor but does not reach professional quality. Student needs to address creativity, aesthetics, and craftsmanship.

D= Below Average Student Work
Student is at risk of failing as they fall below the minimum requirements to meet course competencies. This level of work will not be conducive to gaining professional work once leaving the school.

F= Failed.
Deficient in too many areas and will repeat course without question.

LATE ASSIGNMENT POLICIES

• All work must be received by the set deadlines, at the beginning of class.
• On-time projects may be revisited with instructor approval.
• Assignments must be posted to eCompanion by the beginning of class on the due date. 
• For any late Lab or Song Reports, 1 point will be deducted from the Deadline Grade for each 24-hour period past the due date.
• You must send me an e-mail notification that you have completed or revised a late or missing Lab or Song Report. I will not check to see if you have revisited a previously or partially completed Report; therefore, it is up to you to let me know you have completed or revised work for grade consideration.
• No late Week 10 Lab or Song Reports will be accepted under any circumstances.
• No Make-Ups will be allowed for missed Quizzes.
• Meeting deadlines is a major part of being an audio professional; technical problems, computer issues, lost data, or job/personal conflicts are not legitimate excuses for missing a deadline.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

• Read and become familiar with the course syllabus and expectations
• Keep up with assignments and readings.
• Ask for clarifications about material or course expectations.
• Attend all classes.
• Participate in all class room discussions, activities & critiques.
• Do not wait 2 days before to finish assignments – many assignments take several days to finish. Use time management skills to stay on task!
• All in class and homework projects are to be completed by the students individually. Assigned problem(s) may be discussed and their solution(s) presented in a group setting. Unless noted by the instructor, each project is an individual project and each student shall present an individual interpretation of the solution(s) with the corresponding process documentation. Any un-approved communal work will be noted as plagiarism and addressed accordingly as described in the student hand book.

CLASSROOM POLICIES

• Class time will be spent in a productive manner.
• No food allowed in computer labs at any time. Drinks in recloseable bottles allowed in classroom.
• If student elects to eat/drink outside class or lab door, missed time is recorded as absent.
• Attendance is taken on a regular basis.
• Points will be deducted for each instance of late entry or early departure, forgetting to bring tools, talking on the phone, text messaging during the class period or viewing online sites that are not related to the course.
• Break times are scheduled by the instructor at appropriate intervals.
• No private software is to be brought to lab or loaded onto school computers.
• No video games are allowed in lab (unless in course curriculum).
• Headphones are required if listening to music in computer labs as part of an assignment. No headphones, iPods or cell phones are allowed during lecture.
• To receive special accommodations for a documented disability, the student must present their letter of accommodation to the instructor by the end of the first day of class. This letter should be obtained each quarter from Student Affairs. Any resulting class performance problems that may arise for those who do not identify their needs will not receive any special grading considerations.
• ID Badges must be visible at all times on campus.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
It is our policy not to discriminate against qualified students with documented disabilities in its educational programs, activities, or services. If you have a disability-related need for adjustments or other accommodations in this class, contact the Dean of Student Affairs, Tom Bustamante at (909) 915-2143, or visit Room 150.

It is strongly recommended that any student who – for ANY reason – misses more than 2 weeks worth of instructional hours meet with their instructor for an evaluation. The instructor reserves the right to determine the feasibility of the student potential for avoiding a failing grade and successfully demonstrating all of the gradable course competencies within the class time remaining. If the instructor determines that the student still retains the potential to demonstrate all of the gradable course competencies then the student will be granted the option of attempting a passing grade. If an evaluation meeting has not taken place before 30% or 3 weeks of absence, the student can receive a failing grade for the course.

Plagiarism is the academic equivalent of theft, and can occur in any type of course. Plagiarism is the use (copying) of another person’s ideas, words, visual images, or audio samples, presented in a manner that makes the work appear to be the student’s original creation. All work that is not the student’s original creation, or any idea or fact that is not “common knowledge,” must be documented properly to avoid even accidental infractions of the honor code. Duplicating someone else’s work while handing in your own is intentional plagiarism. Anyone caught plagiarizing material  will be required to  meet with the Dean of Academic Affairs, and will be subject to immediate disciplinary action. Plagiarism is grounds for dismissal from school. Instructors must immediately refer suspected cases of plagiarism to the Dean.

Cheating is to gain an unfair advantage on a grade by deception, fraud, or breaking the rules set forth by the instructor of the class. Cheating may include but is not limited to: copying the work of others; using notes or other materials when unauthorized; communicating to others during an exam; and any other unfair advantage as determined by the instructor.

LIBRARY
All students will need to utilize the Library for research and reference throughout the quarter. The Library is a valuable source for finding design ideas that will be needed for this course, i.e.: inspiration and design fundamentals for mid-term and final projects; locating popular trends in design, illustration and photography; referencing past award winning designs which may be used as a guide; identifying benchmarks or referencing competent design works.